Anti-migrant violence should not mar Eid al-Adha celebration

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Muftis: demonstrations following a death allegedly at the hands of an migrant assailant should not bring plans to a halt

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Photo ITAR-TASS/ Zurab Dzhavakhadze

MOSCOW, October 14 (Itar-Tass) - Street violence directed at Moscow migrants was no reason to cancel the Muslim celebration of Eid al-Adha - Kurban Bayram - on October 15, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Muftis Council Rushan Abbyasov told Itar-Tass.

The Muslim cleric said demonstrations following a death allegedly at the hands of an migrant assailant should not bring plans to a halt. “I would not go so far as to say the celebration may be cancelled. We have long prepared for it and I hope Moscow police will enable a decent celebration, even given the recent events,” said Abbyasov.

“Moscow authorities, in co-operation with the police, should look into the situation, calm the people, and end the conflict,” he added, recalling events that led to some 400 people being detained and public disorder charges brought against around 70.

The coming event of Eid al-Adha is about to be marked in Moscow on October 15-17 as the festival of sacrifice, the most important celebration in the Muslim calendar.

To handle the mass of the faithful visiting places of worship, Moscow has set aside three additional sites for morning prayer: Izumrudny sport and recreation centre in the southwestern administrative area, the 60th Anniversary of the October Revolution Park, and Sokolniky recreation and leisure park, pavilion No.2. There will be 25 additional sites in the Moscow region.

All those attending will have to present identity documents. Russia's Muftis Council will allocate 150 volunteers speaking Uzbek, Tajik and Kyrgyz languages to help believers negotiate identity checks and pass through metal detectors. Last year, about 150,000 Muslims attended the Moscow celebration.